Important Stories Hidden By The Election

Blatham, I think we must give up on the idea of using corn to produce ethanal for vehicle fuel. We cannot divert corn (and any other food grains) for that purpose. We can't produce enough grain to feed the hungry in poor nations. Even in the developed countries, the cost of grains is causing higher prices at a time when our economy is in the tank.

We probably can copy Brazil and use sugar as a source, but I think we must turn our attention to waste fibre to produce ethanal. That would have two benefits. Reducing landfill waste and providing less expensive fuel.

I, personally, don't favor putting all of our eggs in the ethanal basket. I think it was urged because farmers wanted it to increase their income.

I prefer that we concentrate on battery operated hybrid cars. It's the most sensible solution to the fuel problem and will reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. There is a great film everyone should watch: "Who Killed the Electric Cars?" It will make you angry that once again, the special interests killed another good idea for the common good, just as the oil, tire and auto industries did to kill public transportation decades ago.

In 1996, electric cars began to appear on roads all over California. They were quiet and fast, produced no exhaust and ran without gasoline. Ten years later, these cars were destroyed by their manufacturers because they didn't make as much profit as their gas guzzlers provided.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/electric.html

BBB

Georgeob1, I'm not opposed to nuclear power as long as we find a way to appropriately deal with the toxic waste and storage.

The documentary film I cited, answers all of your question about increasing electricity output, etc. I saw it on ComCast by demand films.
You also can order the DVD.

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSBykAngDpY

BBB

New Jewish-American lobby wants to be alternative to AIPAC

By Shmuel Rosner

Tags: AIPAC, U.S. Jewry

WASHINGTON - On Monday night, Samuel Lewis spoke from a small stage in one of the banquet halls of Washington's Mayflower Hotel to an audience of Anti-Defamation League activists seated around the dinner tables at their annual conference. Lewis, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, was sharing fond memories from the days of the peace treaty with Egypt. Thirty years have passed, but Lewis still gets emotional when recalling that period, and so do his listeners.

The next day Lewis skipped skillfully from the memories of the past to policies of the future when discussing why his part in the new Jewish-American dovish lobby, whose purpose is to promote meaningful American leadership, and push Israel (and its neighbors) toward peace.

An interesting development that seems long overdue, given the public positions of many prominent Jewish political groups on other issues. It will be very interesting to see if it has wings.

Deadlocked jury forces 2nd mistrial in Miami terrorism case

No Time For Neutrality

America's conversation about Israel has largely left out the voices of progressive Jews and often alienated them from their faith. It's time for them to stop feeling marginalized and start speaking out about the difference between Zionism and Judaism.

Ezra Klein | April 16, 2008 | web only

J Street on the Map

Tuesday's announcement of a new Washington-based pro-Israel lobby is long overdue. Finally, there is a lobby working for what Israel and the U.S. really need: Middle East peace.

Gershom Gorenberg | April 15, 2008 | web only

Bush administration denies funding for FBI probe of mortgage mess
Many more agents needed, official says
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY AND DANIEL LATHROP
P-I REPORTERS

The Bush administration is rejecting FBI pleas for more agents to investigate crimes that helped trigger the global financial meltdown, bureau sources said this week.

"They are bogged down big-time or there would be some indictments by now," said a recently retired bureau official who played a pivotal role in setting FBI policy after 9/ 11.

The FBI's response to the meltdown stands in sharp contrast to past financial crises, he said. "There are three comparable things ... the S&L crisis, corporate fraud like Enron and health care fraud. There was a clear, well-delineated effort there. I don't see it here."